The Second Flight of Garuda

Date: Monday, August 1993

📍Location: Aula SMA Negeri 1 Padang

Event: Preliminary Selection – Forum Debat Nasional Pelajar

The debate hall was rearranged — desks in a square, podiums at each end, and a chalkboard behind the judges with today's motion:

"This house believes that water management should be privatized to improve rural efficiency."

Rakha sat in the third chair, calmly flipping through a small notepad filled with bullet points. No printed research. No folders. Just handwritten thoughts and memory.

Across the room, Alvino adjusted his tie.

Their eyes met — once. No smirk. No words. Just silent acknowledgment: Here we go.

🧠 [SYSTEM NOTICE]

Domain Detected: Political Rhetoric

Debate Mode: Active

Passive Bonus Applied: "Cognitive Flex"

Situation Awareness: +2

Opponent Profile Unlocked: Alvino Tanuwijaya

– Strength: Framing Arguments

– Weakness: Dismissive of Grassroots Viewpoints

🎤 Round 1: Opening Statements

Alvino stood first. His voice, smooth and clear:

"Indonesia's villages suffer not because of lack of water — but lack of structure. Privatization invites investment, efficiency, and accountability. Leave it to state bureaucracy, and we get rusted pipes and dry fields. We need business logic to solve human needs."

Applause. A few nods from judges.

Then Rakha rose.

"Efficiency is a tool. But life is not a business plan. Water, in our villages, is not just a resource. It's heritage, faith, and survival. Privatization turns it into numbers — and numbers do not cry when a mother can't afford the bill."

A hush fell. The back row boys who usually joked… leaned in.

🎤 Round 2: Rebuttal

Alvino snapped back.

"Appealing to emotion is easy. Leading people requires tough decisions. My opponent wants idealism. I want results."

Rakha didn't blink.

"And I want people who've never held a title to finally have water without selling their land to get it."

A visible shift in the room.

🎤 Round 3: Rapid Response

Moderator: "What policy safeguards would you implement, Rakha, to make your plan viable?"

"Community water boards — elected, trained, and backed by district budgets. Transparency via printed reports, not just public figure words. Trust is built on paper and presence."

Moderator: "And Alvino?"

"Pilot programs with third-party providers, subsidized by state bonds, with performance benchmarks over two harvest cycles."

A teacher nodded. "Strong. Both of you."

🧠 [SYSTEM NOTICE]

Debate Points Earned: +11

Audience Persuasion Rate: +17%

Logic Structure Detected: Tier 2

Passive Evolution: Early Statesman's Composure

📍 After the Match – School Courtyard

No winner had been announced — but whispers swirled. Rakha's name spread faster than expected.

Some said he'd brought fire. Others said he brought faith.

Tari walked beside him on the way out.

"That was your first real debate?"

Rakha nodded.

"You didn't debate, Rakha. You led."

From behind a tree, Alvino watched — his jaw set. But this time, his eyes carried something else.

Not anger.

Respect.

Later That Afternoon – School Auditorium

The crowd returned. Not for speeches — but for results.

Principal Arif stepped up to the podium. He glanced down at the envelope in his hand, then smiled toward the students, judges, and guests.

"This year… is different. We don't just have smart students. We have students who are changing things."

He raised the first card.

"🏆 Business Innovation Showcase – Winner: Rakha Yudhistira Halim."

There was silence.

Then thunderous applause.

Alvino didn't clap immediately — but when he did, it was slow and precise. He nodded once toward Rakha without smiling.

Respect. Silent, reluctant… but real.

Then the principal raised a second card.

"🏆 Debate Trials – Primary Representatives: Alvino Tanuwijaya… and Rakha Yudhistira Halim."

This time, even the teachers exchanged surprised glances.

"A village boy… and a diplomat's son," one teacher whispered. "That'll be a legendary team."

🧠 [SYSTEM NOTICE]

Double Milestone Achieved

Reputation Gained: "Dual Path Prodigy"

Public Influence Unlocked: Tier I (Regional)

Feature Unlocked: Civic Influence Meter

New Contact Incoming…

📍 The Following Week – Teacher's Office

Rakha was called in by Bu Yuni, the student affairs coordinator.

"You've been invited," she said, sliding a brown envelope forward. "City Youth Forum. Regional level. September roundtable."

Rakha flipped open the folder — dates, logos, agenda points.

Topics: food security, urban planning, education reform.

"And they want you to speak on 'Village-Centered Development.'"

He blinked. Then quietly nodded.

"Thank you, Bu."

📍 That Same Day – School Parking Lot

As Rakha exited the office, he spotted a black Toyota Crown parked near the gate. A man in a brown civil service uniform leaned on the hood, arms crossed, watching the school like a hunter in no rush.

When Rakha passed by, the man straightened.

"Rakha Yudhistira?"

He nodded.

"I read the debate transcript," the man said. "You remind me of someone I once believed in."

"And who are you, Pak?"

The man smiled slightly, pulling a card from his shirt pocket.

"Johan Satya – Regional Development Bureau. But more importantly… I recruit smart people before the old ones ruin them."

He handed over the card.

"Call me after the forum. I want to talk again — off record."

Then he stepped into the car and drove off.

📍 Evening – Rakha's Room

The rain tapped on the tin roof like a metronome.

On his table: two trophies, one city invitation, and one thin card.

Rakha stared at them, fingers steepled under his chin.

He was no longer just the village prodigy.

He was being watched. Being invited. Being tested — by a world much older than him.

And he hadn't even turned twelve.